BR112014021638B1 - release latch - Google Patents

Abstract

RELEASE CLOSURE The present invention relates to a release latch comprising a base and a cover fixed to said base by an articulation and movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein said cover comprises an external side wall and the aforementioned release latch also comprises tamper evident elements which indicate whether the multi-layered cover has been opened or not. The tamper-evident elements comprise a first locking element and a second locking element which interlock when the said cover is in its closed position. The cover comprises a key region arranged in such a way that, when pressed by a user in a direction at least partially radial inward, the first locking element will be removed from the socket with said second locking element.

Description

[001] The present invention relates to a release closure that can be attached to a container, while those containers are arranged to store a fluid or other fluid medium, which can be released through an opening of the release closure.

[002] Furthermore, release latches with an inviolable element are known, which indicate when the release latch has been opened partially or completely, to indicate to the user that the container has been, at least partially, opened.

[003] These tamper-resistant elements are usually made by a pulling element or a pulling cover, in such a way that the user can pull out that pulling element or pulling cover or in such a way that it is pulled out automatically when the lock is removed. or when a cover on that release latch opens.

[004] The present invention relates in particular to a release latch comprising a base and a cover, fixed to said base by means of a joint and movable between an open and closed position, while these release latches are often referred to flip-top fasteners.

[005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved release closure, especially suitable for so-called wet aseptic applications, during which the release closure is treated in an immersion bath, usually in acetic acid, to make the closure aseptic before use.

[006] This object is resolved by a release latch according to claim 1, while claims 2 to 15 refer to specifically advantageous realizations of the release latch according to claim 1.

[007] According to the present invention, the release latch comprises a base and a cover, is fixed to said base by an articulation and is movable between an open and a closed position, wherein said cover comprises an external side wall . In addition, the aforementioned release closure also comprises tamper evident elements, while the term "tamper evident elements" refers to one or more elements, which, in combination or together with other elements, perform an tamper proof function.

[008] According to the present invention, the tamper-evident elements comprise a first locking element which is fixed to a first region on the inner side of said outer side wall of said cover and which is movable from a locked position to an unlocked position and a second preferably fixed locking element which is fixed to said base, wherein said first and second elements are arranged and positioned in such a way that they fit together when said cover is in its closed position and when said first element lock is in its locked position.

[009] In this regard, it should be noted that the release latch can be manufactured in an open or closed position. In cases where the release latch was manufactured in an open position, it will be closed for the first time before being put into use, while in those cases the aforementioned first and second locking elements fit together after the first closure and before being put to use.

[010] According to the present invention, the outer side wall of said cover also comprises a region or key area. The said key region extends over a part of the area defined by the said external side wall of the said cover.

[011] Furthermore, said key region is connected to the remaining area of said external side wall, while this connection is made at least partially by at least one indicator element, preferably a predetermined breaking element, for example, by at least at least one or preferably two bars connecting said key region to the remaining or adjacent area or around said outer side wall of said cover.

[012] The mentioned at least one indicator element is arranged in such a way that the said key region can be pressed by a user at least partially in an internal radial direction, such that at least one indicator element can be destroyed or deformed and said first locking element can be removed from the socket with said second locking element.

[013] A broken or deformed indicator element is clearly visible to a user from the outside, so that a broken or deformed indicator element shows that the closure has been breached, opened or at least partially opened by a user.

[014] The release closure according to the present invention has the advantage that the tamper evident elements are integrated with the other elements, especially integrated into the closed space defined between the mentioned cover of the release closure and the said base, so that no element of tear or separation element, which protrudes from the other elements of the lock, is necessary, which could damage or destroy the external appearance of the release lock or which can or needs to be pulled out separately by the user, on purpose or inadvertently.

[015] The mentioned at least one indicator element can be realized using a deformable material or it can alternatively be realized by a predetermined breaking element, that is, by an element, not only visibly deformed, but being destroyed after partial or complete opening of the cover for the first time.

[016] The release latch according to the present invention with the said key region integrated into the cover of said release latch and with the first locking element integrated within the cover, therefore not visible or extending out of a protected space created between the cover and the base when the aforementioned release latch is in its closed position, especially allows the release latch to be used for wet aseptic applications, during which this release latch is immersed in an aseptic liquid, generally acetic acid, as in these cases acetic acid (or alternative liquids) cannot enter the protected space between cover and base and, in addition, the release closure can be designed in such a way that it has an essentially smooth outer surface, which prevents acetic acid remains in openings, recesses or other covered or "protected" areas on the outside of said closure.

[017] According to a preferred embodiment, the key region is connected, in its circumference or edge area, to the remaining area of the said outer sidewall by at least one indicator element, while the other parts of the said circumference area are connected to said external side wall by the same material, possibly or even preferably with a smaller wall thickness, or by another material, preferably by a softer or more elastic material.

[018] This realization has the advantage that the key region can be pressed, at least partially radially, by a user, which leads to a breakage or deformation of the mentioned at least one indicator element, while in other areas the The key region can also be connected to the remaining area of the mentioned external side wall, possibly without any visible deformation.

[019] According to a preferred embodiment of the release latch, the aforementioned first locking element is attached to the key region, especially attached to the inner side of the key region. This has the advantage that the first locking element is moved directly, preferably at least partially in a radial inward direction, when the aforementioned key region is pressed by a user, which leads to a very reliable decoupling of the aforementioned first and second elements. lock.

[020] According to another preferred embodiment, the said key region has an outer contour essentially in the form of a ring, especially in the form of a circular or oval ring. This has the advantage that the key region can be shaped essentially for a user's finger or fingertip, so that the user can easily press the key region essentially without influencing the areas around the cover. Alternatively, the outer contour of the key region can also have different shapes, that is, rectangular or triangular shape.

[021] Preferably, the key region may comprise a logo or a word, such as "press" or "press", to provide easy-to-understand instructions for the user to open the release latch.

[022] According to a preferred embodiment, the release opening comprises at least one, preferably two indicator elements, preferably two predetermined break elements and an intermediate connection area between the key region and the area (s) ( s) directly adjacent to the cover, while also preferably the material of the mentioned intermediate connection area is made of a different material from the rest of the closure, preferably made of a material more elastic or softer than the material of the covering of the closure of release. As the intermediate connection area is softer or more elastic, this intermediate connection area can remain intact, although the key region is pressed at least partially on the inner side in a radial inward direction by the user, even with destruction or deformation of the indicator elements.

[023] This has the advantage that the key region is not separated from the cover, which facilitates recycling. In addition, the release lock cover still maintains a pleasant exterior appearance, while no protruding element impairs that appearance or causes possible damage or unwanted or unpleasant sensations for the user touching the lock.

[024] According to another aspect, although independent of the present invention, the release closure comprises a sealing area, preferably a sealing ring, on a lower edge of the said cover, preferably made of a material other than the cover material, especially preferably a material that is softer or more elastic than the material of the cover and / or the base of the release latch. This area or sealing ring seals the cover and base, especially from an upper area of the said base, so that the space defined between said cover and said base, when said cover is in its closed position, is protected watertight outside. This sealing area has the advantage that, in case the release closure is, in its closed position, immersed in an aseptic liquid, such as acetic acid, no liquid can enter the defined space between cover and base. This is especially important, as it is extremely difficult to remove acid from this space, if that acid has entered this space, at the same time, however, as it needs to ensure that no acid or aseptic liquid remains inside or in the closure before further use.

[025] According to an especially preferred embodiment, the cover comprises, on its inner side and preferably in an upper area and more preferably in a central area of the mentioned cover, a protuberance, preferably a ring-shaped protuberance, which it extends at least partially in a closure release opening when said cover is in its closed position, in such a way that it seals the closure release opening. This specific realization has the advantage that there is no possibility for an aseptic liquid, such as acetic acid, to enter the space created between cover and base, especially an upper side of the mentioned base, not even through the release opening, so that the space generated between an inner side of said cover and an upper side of said base is sealed tightly in all directions to the outside.

[026] This specific design therefore makes a release closure perfectly suited for wet aseptic applications.

[027] According to another preferred embodiment, the aforementioned first and second elements are arranged in such a way that, when fitted, the aforementioned cover is, due to the fit and interaction of the two lock elements, pulled on the said base with a force predetermined, to make a more secure seal between the edge of the cover and the upper area of the mentioned base. Preferably, this force is at a level that the aforementioned sealing area, preferably the aforementioned sealing ring, made of a softer or more elastic material than the material of the cover and / or the base of the release closure, is compressed at least partially. This further improves the watertight seal between the edge of said cover and the upper area of said base.

[028] According to a preferred embodiment, the material of the said sealing area and the material of the said intermediate connection area are identical, while in another preferred embodiment, the sealing area and the intermediate connection area are connected together. This has the advantage that the manufacture of the closure can be carried out in an especially easy and reliable way by bi-injection molding.

[029] According to a preferred embodiment, the release closure also comprises a dome-shaped nozzle, which is preferably arranged in such a way that the dome-shaped nozzle extends beyond an upper area of said base, while preferably the shape of the mouthpiece and / or the shape of the base, especially the upper area of the base, is ergonomically formed to adapt to the shape of the mouth of a user who uses the dome-shaped mouthpiece to drink from a container to which it is the said release latch is fixed.

[030] According to another preferred embodiment, the first locking element comprises a longitudinally extending bar element and, at one end or in the area of one end, is connected to an inner side of said cover, at the opposite end or close to it, or, in an alternative embodiment, somewhere over the longitudinal extent of said first locking element, it is equipped with a hook for fitting with said second locking element.

[031] This fitting provides a very reliable functioning of the tamper-resistant elements, a secure fitting of the first and the second locking element, when the aforementioned first locking element is in its locked position, especially before the first opening of the cover and also a safe and reliable separation and removal of the two locking elements when a user applies pressure on the key region.

[032] Especially, the fixation of the first locking element at one end of its longitudinal extension allows, preferably at least partially rotationally, the movement of the hook, so that the pressure of the key region by a user over a certain distance d takes to a hook movement over a distance D, where D> d.

[033] Preferably, the second locking element is made by a space or an opening provided in said base, preferably in an upper region and / or an outer region or edge region of said base, covered by at least one element of bridge, connecting at least parts of the said recess or space. This allows the reliable locking and detaching of the first locking element with the second locking element and especially allows all tamper-resistant elements to be carried out on one side or internal space of the aforementioned release lock, which is especially important when using this lock lock. release in wet aseptic applications, as indicated above.

[034] In a preferred embodiment of the release closure, the tamper-evident elements, especially, for example, those mentioned first and second lock elements, the mentioned key region and / or the mentioned at least one indicator element and, if applicable, for example, an intermediate connection area are arranged in such a way that said mentioned first locking element is oriented towards said locked position, so that said first locking element returns to said locked position, when no pressure is exerted or force by the user on the mentioned key region.

[035] This realization has the advantage that, even after a first opening of the aforementioned cover, the cover can be closed again by a user, the aforementioned first locking element and the aforementioned second locking element are automatically taken to fit, for that the cover is closed securely again. In this regard, it is necessary to note, of course, that the indicator element remains destroyed or deformed, in such a way that the user can still observe that the cover has been opened at least once.

[036] In an alternative embodiment, the aforementioned tamper-evident elements are arranged in such a way that the aforementioned first locking element remains in the aforementioned unlocked position after having been taken once to the aforementioned unlocked position by exerting force or pressure on the mentioned key region. In this alternative embodiment, the cover can still be moved between an open position and a closed position, but it cannot be locked in said closed position. This alternative can be advantageous if it should be made even more obvious to the user that the cover has been opened at least once.

[037] To improve this situation, it may, in principle, also be possible for the cover to be arranged in such a way that it is oriented in such a way that the said cover is at least partially removed from the closed position, if those mentioned first and second elements of locks are not fitted together.

[038] According to a preferred embodiment, the release closure is made of PE (polyethylene) or PP (polypropylene), while an intermediate connection area, as indicated above, as well as a sealing area, is preferably made of HDPE (high density polyethylene) and / or TPE (thermoplastic elastomers).

[039] The characteristics and advantages mentioned above and others of the release closure according to the present invention will be even more evident in view of the description of preferred embodiments.

[040] Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of a release latch according to the present invention.

[041] Figure 2 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the release latch according to the present invention.

[042] Figure 3 shows a schematic cross section through a release closure according to the present invention with the cover in its open position.

[043] Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-section through a release closure according to the present invention with the cover in its closed position before its first opening by a user.

[044] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross section through the release lock as shown in Figure 4 after the key region has been pressed by a user.

[045] Figure 1 shows a front view of a release latch 10 according to the present invention, where the release latch 10 comprises a cover 100 and a base 200, while the cover 100 is displayed in its closed position .

[046] The release latch 10 as shown in Figure 1 comprises an tamper evident element 20, which indicates whether the release latch as a whole has been removed from a corresponding container. In this regard, it should be noted that the release closure 10 according to the present invention also comprises tamper evident elements according to the present invention, which indicate partial or complete opening of the cover 100 in relation to the base 200 and these tamper evident elements according to the present invention will be described in more detail below.

[047] The cover 100 of the release latch 10 comprises a key region 300, connected to the remaining area of said outer side wall of said cover by two indicator elements 340, while additionally the release latch 10 comprises an intermediate connection area 320 which surrounds the key region 300 and is positioned between said key region 300 and the remaining area of said cover 100, with the exception of the mentioned indicator elements 340.

[048] Regarding the operation of the key region and the tamper-resistant elements, reference is made in particular to Figures 4 and 5 and the corresponding description below.

[049] Figure 2 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the release closure with a cover 100 and a base 200, while said cover 100 is attached to said base 200 by means of a hinge 400 and the cover 100 can be rotated. through said hinge 400 from a closed position, as shown in Figure 2, to an open position; see, for example, Figure 3.

[050] Figure 3 shows a cross section through a release closure 10 with the cover 100 in its open position.

[051] The base 200 has, on its external side wall, mounting means 210 for attachment to a container (not shown), while the mentioned mounting means 210 is made by an internal thread, so that the base 200 can be threaded on a corresponding outer thread of a respective container.

[052] The base 200 has, in its upper area, an essentially dome-shaped nozzle 220 with a release opening 222.

[053] When the lid 100 is in its closed position, an essentially circular or ring-shaped protuberance 120, provided on the inside of said cover 120, fits into said opening 222 so that said opening 222 is sealed by the mentioned ring-shaped protuberance 120.

[054] The cover 100 has, in its lower edge area, a sealing area 180 that extends around the complete circumference of the lower edge of said cover 100, so as to have the shape of a ring, in this case a ring circular and which comes into contact with an upper area of said base 200 when said cover 100 is in its closed position.

[055] Thus, the sealing area 180 securely seals the edge area of said cover 100 to said base 200, so that the space defined between cover 100 and the base element 200 is safely sealed against the outside by an interrelation between said sealing area 180 and said base 200, on one side, and by said protuberance similar to edge 120 and by said opening 222.

[056] The cover 100 also comprises a first locking element 160, which is essentially longitudinal in shape and which is attached to a first region on the inner side of said outer side wall of said cover, while said base 200 comprises a second locking element. lock 260, the first lock element 160 and the said second lock element 260 are arranged and positioned in such a way that they fit together when said cover is in its closed position and when said first lock element is in its locked position, as also shown in Figure 4.

[057] It should be noted that this realization is carried out in such a way that the aforementioned first locking element 160 is oriented to the aforementioned locked position, so that, even after the first opening and closing after the cover, the first element locking 160 return to its locked position, when pressure is not exerted on the key region 300 by a user, so that the cover 100 can not only be brought to its closed position, but also be locked again.

[058] The operation of the tamper evident element and especially the first lock element 160 and the second lock element 260 is described in relation to Figures 4 and 5 below.

[059] Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-section through the realization of the release lock 10 according to the present invention, while the lock 10 is displayed in a situation, when the mentioned cover is in its closed position and is not exercised pressure on said key region 300.

[060] As can be seen, the first locking element 160 is in its locked position and is engaged with the mentioned second locking element 260, so that the cover 100 is held firmly in its closed position.

[061] Furthermore, a sealing area, essentially in the form of a sealing ring 180, is arranged and fixed to a lower edge of said cover 100 by injection molding, while in said closed position said sealing ring 180 is pressed firmly over an upper area of the said base 200 of the release latch 10, in order to firmly seal the lower edge of the cover 100 to the upper area of the base 200 around the ring-shaped protuberance 120 that extends or protrudes in the closed position of the cover 100 for the opening 222 provided in the mouthpiece 220 so that the opening 222 of the mouthpiece 220 is sealed tightly by the aforementioned ring-shaped protuberance 120 over its complete circumference.

[062] The cover 100 comprises a ring-shaped protuberance 120 that extends or protrudes in the closed position of the cover 100 to the opening 222 provided in the nozzle 220 so that the opening 222 of the nozzle 220 is sealed tightly by the aforementioned shaped protuberance ring 120 over its complete circumference.

[063] The space 150 defined between said cover 100 or said inner side of said outer side wall of said cover 100 and an upper area of said base 200, including said nozzle 200, is therefore in the closed position of the cover 100, sealed to the outside.

[064] Thus, when treating said closure 10 in an immersion bath, for example, in acetic acid, for moist aseptic application, no liquid can enter the space 150 between the cover 100 and the base 200, which guarantees that no moist aseptic liquid such as acetic acid remains, despite cleaning after the immersion bath, in these areas covered by the seal. This closure as shown in Figure 4 is, therefore, especially advantageous and perfect for wet aseptic applications.

[065] Figure 5 shows the realization shown in Figure 4, however, in a situation in which a user presses the key region 300.

[066] It is necessary to emphasize that Figure 5 is just a schematic drawing that visualizes the function especially of the first and second lock elements and the interrelationship between these two elements, but Figure 5 does not show the exact structure of the cover and especially the key region 300 after being pressed by a user.

[067] As can be seen, the key region 300, after being pressed by a user, is moved at least partially radially inwards, so that the first locking element 160, fixed to the mentioned key region 300, it is also moved at least partially radially inward and therefore exits the socket with the second locking element 260.

[068] However, the indicator elements (340, not visible in Figure 5) are broken or deformed, the intermediate connection area 320, made of TPE, is preferably not visibly deformed or is even destroyed, because it is made of a more flexible.

[069] As can be seen also in Figure 5, all elements, including all elements that directly or indirectly belong to the tamper-evident elements, are still attached to the remaining parts of the closure 10 and do not protrude to an outside area. Thus, recycling is supported, no additional waste is generated, which is separated from the rest of the closure, and no protruding element causes a negative influence on the tactile properties of the closure 10.

[070] It is clear to the technician in the matter that several changes can be made to the realization, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims and any characteristics described in relation to the achievements or the descriptive report can be important for the realization of the present invention, alone or in any combination.

Claims (15)

1. RELEASE CLOSURE (10), comprising a base (200) and a cover (100), fixed to said base (200) by a joint (400) and movable between an open position and a closed position, in which the mentioned cover (100) comprises an external side wall and said release latch (10) also comprises tamper evident elements which indicate whether said cover has been opened or not; characterized by the tamper-evident elements comprising a first locking element (160) which is fixed to a first region on the inner side of said outer side wall of said cover (100) which is movable from a locked position to an unlocked position and a second locking element lock (260) fixed to said base (200), in which the aforementioned first (160) and second (260) locking elements are arranged and positioned so as to fit together when said cover (100) is found in its closed position and when said first locking element is in its closed position; wherein said outer side wall of said cover (100) comprises a key region, said key region (300) is connected to the remaining area of said external side wall of said cover (100) at least partially by at least one indicator element (340), wherein said key region (300) is arranged in such a way that it can be pressed by a user at least partially in an inward radial direction, such that said first locking element (160 ) is taken to said unlocked position, in which said first lock element (160) is out of place with said second lock element (260), while at least one indicator element (340) is destroyed and / or deformed by a movement of said first locking element (160) from its locked position to its unlocked position. 2. RELEASE CLOSURE (10), according to claim 1, characterized in that said first locking element (160) is fixed to said inner side of said outer side wall of said cover (100) in the area of said key region (300). 3. RELEASE CLOSURE (10) according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said key region (300) is essentially circular or oval in shape. 4. RELEASE CLOSURE (10), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said key region (300) is connected to the remaining area of said external side wall of said cover (100) by at least one indicator element ( 340) and an intermediate connection area (320) made of a material other than the cover material (100) of the said release latch (10). 5. RELEASE CLOSURE (10), according to claim 4, characterized in that the mentioned intermediate connection area (320) is made of a more elastic material than the cover material (100). 6. RELEASE CLOSURE (10), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cover (100) comprises a sealing area at a lower edge of said cover (100) which comes in contact with said base (200) ) of said closure (10) when said cover (100) is in its closed position, in which said sealing area is made of a different material than the material of the cover (100). 7. RELEASE CLOSURE (10), according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said material of said intermediate connection area is the same material as the material of said sealing area. 8. RELEASE CLOSURE (10), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said release latch (10) is manufactured by means of bi-injection molding as a single piece. 9. RELEASE CLOSURE (10), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cover (100) and said base (200) are arranged in such a way that said cover (100) seals against a corresponding area of said base (200) when said cover (100) is in its closed position, in such a way that an internal space defined by an internal side of said cover (100) and an upper side of said base (200) are sealed to the exterior and the aforementioned release latch (10) is suitable for aseptic wet applications. 10. RELEASE CLOSURE (10), according to any of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the mentioned intermediate connection area and the said sealing area are made of the same material and are connected together. 11. RELEASE CLOSURE (10), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base (200) comprises a dome-shaped release nozzle. 12. RELEASE CLOSURE (10), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned first lock element (160) comprises a longitudinally extending bar element, which is, at one of its ends, connected to the said inner side mentioned of said outer side wall of said cover (100) and which comprises, at its opposite end, a hook for fitting with said second locking element (260). 13. RELEASE CLOSURE (10), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second lock element (260) comprises a space or recess in said base element (200) and a bridge element for fitting with the said first locking element (160), wherein said bridge element connects at least part of said space or said recess. 14. RELEASE CLOSURE (10), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cover (100) comprises a sealing area at a lower edge of said cover (100) that comes in contact with said base (200) ) of said closure (10) when said cover (100) is in its closed position and said sealing area is made of a different material than the cover material (100). 15. RELEASE CLOSURE (10), according to any one of claims 6 to 14, characterized in that the mentioned cover (10) comprises, on its internal side, a protuberance (120), arranged and positioned in such a way that it is inserted at least partially in a release opening (222) when said cover is in its closed position, such that it seals the release opening (222).

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